Rim for vehicle-wheels.



R. S. BRYANT.

RIM FOR VEHICLE WHEELS.

APPLICATION mm MAY 4. 191:. I

m r M E Q m m m U & Z w e x mmui w r E R. S. BRYANT.

RIM FOR VEHSCLE WHEELS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 4. Ian.

-l .Lm n W w m v r n w A n u 2 d w m 3 t Y a \J w M I 7 a T W 1 8 6 s 3 E w 5 fi 1 m R. S. BRYANT.

RIM FOR VEHICLE WHEELS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY4. 1911.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

fIEzJF "HZ #255555.- IZZZ/EJZ/UR A T fl A446 M 9 W XS. A AFFJJ-JZEyi UNI fEED' STATES P'ATEN'I" Q FFIOE,

RICHARDS. BRYAN '1, 0E AKRON, OHIO, ASSIGNOBtTEfiTHESfl-MDARD WELDING OOMr PANY; OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, AyOflBBOflAi'I'IDNIOE QI-IIQ,

RIM, FOR: VEHIOLE wHEEmi BatQntedA-ug. 21, 1915'.

Application enem -1, 1911. Serial Nb.625;078?

To aZZw'h/Jm it may (o /mam: I

Bel-it known that I; RIGHARD S. BRYANT, a citizen of th e Uniteol States, residingat Akron,- in the county of Summit and State of Ohio, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Rims for Vehicle- Wheel's, of which the following is at full, clear; and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

Thisrinv'ention relates to rims for vehicle wheels of' the'type designed to secure a pneumatic or other resilient tire in place thereomand permit the ready removal lofth e same therefrom for purposes of repair or replacement: T h ese rims are usually formed with an upstanding'flan'ge at each side to engage the sides of the tire, said flanges either being h ook ed= inwardly so as to securely grasp the li s of a tire of the 'clenclier type, or le t with straight sides for." thereception of'atiro of the straight wallor Durrlop type. Various expedients have heretofore been employed for facilitab ing the removal of* the tire from the rim, one ofthose expedientsb'eing the formation of the rim W-ith one, at least, of saidside flangesdetachab-lv securedtheretoso as to be easilyremoved and permit the tire to be drawn without hindrance over the side of the wheel.

The object of this invention is the provision of a: rim of" this typeh aving'one or both? of said flanges removably attached thereto-, and provided with novel and'- improved means: for securing'said flange in placenpom said rim; the provision of aide viee of "this. character which can be manipulated with the smallest possible number and varietyof tools, and which shall yetserve to retain said detachable-flange rigidly 'and secirrelyi'in placeupon the; rim and be roof against accidental l disconnection there rom; thieprovision of adetachable flange oli im proved shape whereby the disconnection of th e flnngi'e rom the' rimby the pressure of the tire shall beabsolutely prevented} and further objects and advantages will become apparent from f the. folllowing description and claims. Generally speaking, my invention maybe defined as consisting-ofrth'e combinations of-elenients embodied in theclaims hereto annexed and illustrated in 1 the draw ings aecompanying'and forming apart here 0t, wherein Figure 1*is1a sideelevation ofa portion of a vehicle Wheel provided with m y lmpro ved rim; Fig. 2 a cross sectional view of therim and associated parts taken on the 1ine 2-2 of Fig. 1 Fig. 3 a detail View partly in section; illustrating the manner: of sec-uring the detachable flange to the rim; Fig; 4 2m inside View of a portion of the rim illustrating the securing means; Fig. 4 a perspective View of a rivet employed in connection with the device shown mini ..4 Figs; 5., o, 7,s,9, 10, 11,17,1s,19, 20 an 21jare detail views illustrating modifiud methods of securing the detachable flangeto the rim; Fig. 12 is a cross sectional detail'view' taken upon the line 1212 of Fig: 6; Fig; 13= is a perspective view of a portion oftherim illustrated in Fig. 9, cer tain" portions thereof being brokenaway; Big. 14 isadetail cross SBCUIGMH-alVlBW taken on th' e-line 14:, 14 of Fig; 10 and'illustrat ing a slig htly mndified shape of fiange and flan receiving groove and a slightly modified llin g block; Fig; 15isacross sectional View taken on the dotted line 1515 of Fig. 11; and'illustrating'a flange of the straight well type; Fig. lfi'isa viewpartly in perspective-and partly in' cross section ofa modification whereinbbth flangesare removable and reivei-sible'so as-toadapt the rim for use with eitlierficlenclier or straight wall tires, as may} be desired," amd Figi 22'is a cross-sectional vi w of another form of convertible riniin whieh one of the flanges issecured bgy a=ringmittached in accordance-with my invention.- Describing th e parts-by reference character-s 1 indicates the felly of a vehicle Qithespokeaand 3 the tire: The tire illustrated is of the'p neumatle type; and has leterahflexihle lips or heads; 4* at the sides of its base which are adapted to be en'- t 5y Of thQ rim. Stlid ilm consists otr a i substantially flat annular metallieband 51, shrunk u on or otherwise se curely azttached'to the f lly 1 and having at one sitte the outwardly projecting" hooked fl an (tadapted to engage one offthe beads kof the tire The othersi-de of the rim is depressed to form a groove or channel 7', hitvihg a fltlt insidewall 8* and" a curved mster wall 9, th e upper edgeof said outer well being neoflhighew than the flat surface otfi the -bamdifis Pprefertoform the wall 9 SHJIJSfiaMiaIIY-UPOII' the are at a-cirele, whose center lies substantially in the I plane: of the wall Band at or slightly aboiieitiiei surface of the band' 5. In this groove I secureth'e removable or detachable flange 10, which has a base or body portion adapted to fit securely within the groove 7 and an'inwardly extending hooked portion 11 adapted to en age the base of the tire opposite the fixed ange 6. This flange is made in the form of a split ring, the closely abutting ends thereof being illustrated at 12, and the method of securing this ring in the groove 7 will now be described.

Formed upon the inner surface ofthe ring 10 adjacent the ends thereof are radial projections 15 and 15 having rounded heels 16 and forwardly projecting toes 17. The inner surface of the ring between each of the projections and the end 12 is beveled away as at 18 and the bottom of the groove 7 is formed with apertures 19 and 20 separated by a portion or web 21 left intact. The perforation 19 is made in the form of a flat slot of sufiicient width to permit the projection 15 to fit closely therein, and of a length greater than that of the projection 15, but less than that of the projection plus the toe 17. One end of the ring is secured to the rim by inserting the pro ection 15, toe first, into the perforation 19, the necessary canting pf the ring being permitted by the, beveled portion 18. The ring is then seated in the groove 7. The slot 20 is of the same width asthe slot 19 but of considerably greater length thus permitting the direct insertion of the projection 15 therein, and this projection is secured in place by inserting between its rear edge and the end of the slot 20 a suitable filling device. In Figs. 3 and 4 this filling device is shown as a metallic block 22, the length whereof is suflicient to wedge the toe 17 of the projection 1,5 securely beneath the web 21 and bring I the ends of the ring closely together. This block is preferably secured to the endof a flat spring 23, in the present instance being shown as secured thereto by therivet 24,,and

. the spring is here shown as providedwith a slight outward bend at 2.5 to permit the insertion of a tool therebeneath. if y Inasmuch as the rim must be heated before being applied to the felly 1,. it is inexpedient to secure the spring 23 permanently thereto, since its temper would be impaired by the heat. I prefer to secure the spring to the rim by means of a rivet of; the type shown in Fig. 4 This rivet consists of a flat body portion 28 having a reduced end 29 adapted to be inserted in a suitable perforation in the rim and upset therein, as at 30, and having an enlarged circular head 31. The rivet is secured to the rim with theflat portion transverse thereto, asshown in Fig. 4, and the spring is formed with a circular perforation 32 of a size to slip over the'rivet head, a smaller. perforation 33 of a diameter equal to the width of the body portion, and a slot 34 connecting these perforations and having a width suflicient to permit the passage of thebody portion when turned so as to parallel the fiat surface thereof. With this construction, the spring can be applied to the rivet in an obvious manner, and the engagement of the block 22 in the slot 20 will entirely prevent the spring from being turned sidewise in a manner to permit its disconnection. Obviously, however, any form of connection can be employed within the scope of my invention. If desired, the rear end of the projection can be slightly undercut, as at. 35, and the corresponding face of the block 22 correspondingly inclined, so that the tendency of the ring to expand will wedge the block more securely to its seat, thus aiding the effect of the spring 23.

In Fig. 5 I have illustrated another method of securing the projection 15 in place. In this view a block 22 is illustrated, having on its outer face a right hand threaded stem Securely riveted to the rim is a hollow shell or casing 39 bridging and inclosing the projections 15 and 15 and having a square end 40 flush with the rear end of the slot 20. Formed upon the outside of this shell opposite the block 22 is a threaded boss 41, and in this boss is secured a left hand threaded cap nut 42. This cap out has an axial recess 43 provided with a right hand thread receiving the stem 38, and a terminal flange 44 adapted to seat against the end of the projection 41. WVhen the parts are in the position illustrated in Fig. 5, it is obvious that the ring 10 will be securely held in place by reason of the inter ])0 ;it10n of the block 22 between the projection 15 and the end of the slot 20. If it be desired to release the flange 1'0, the nut 42 is turned .to the right thus withdrawing it partially from the boss 41 and at the same timetaking up the stem 38. By reason of the direction of the two sets of threads, the block 22 is moved twice as rapidly as the nut 42, the rotation of the block 22 bein prevented by its engagement with the wa l of the casing. The thickness of the block and the length of the nut are so adjusted that their. opposing surfaces will come into contact. in advance of the complete withdrawal of the nut, thus preventing the com lete removal thereof and efiiciently guarding against the loss of any of the parts. Furthermore, the block and nut are so arranged that the block will become exactly seated bythe time that the flange 44 engages the 'end' of the boss 41. In Fig. 6 I have illustrated a third expedient for securing the projection 15 in place. In thisview I have illustrated a thumb screw 48 carried in a nut 49 secured to the-rim, as by upsetting; or riveting or welding over the end: ofa projection 50 carried :therehy, and having itsforward endi52 insertedin the slotzQOsoas tobear against the rear: end of the projection 16 and-Wedge the same securely. to its seat. In this View, and in Iiig; 12 I have illustrated an expedient for permitting the ready removal of the flange l0lfrorn the rim, in case the same should become frozen thereto as by marriug or rusting. This expedient consists in forming the adjacent surfaces of the ring and groove with registering recesses 51 and 52. respectively, so as to permit the insertion of a screw driver or other tool therein for prying; the ring out of its seat. Qbviously, this expedient can be employed in connection with any of the securing devices illustrated in this application.

In Fig. 7 I have illustrated yet another expedient for securing the projection l5 within the slot :20. In this case, I have illustrated the slots and the projections as housed in a hollow shell or casing secured to the inner surface of the rim and havinga perforation 56 therethrough opposite the rear end of the slot 20. A filling block 2-2 is mounted in said perforation and extends into the slot 20 in the rear of the projection A flat spring 57 is secured to this block, and is attached to the casing by means of the rivet 5b, which may, if desired, be of the liorm illustrated in Fig. T he advantage of this arrangement the complete exclusion of water, sand, and other foreign substances from the flange securing means. In this figure I have illustrated means for permitting the drawing together and separating of the ends of the ring. To permit the first operation. the ends of the ring are provided with recesses 59 adapted to he engaged by the arms of aspanner wrench or other tool; to permit the second operation, the ends of the ring are formed With registering recesses 60 to permit the insertion of a screw driver or other prying tool. These expedients are not confined to the modification illustrated in this figure, but may he employed in connection with any of the modifications illustrated herein. At the same time. it is especially desirable that some such means he provided in case the lugs 15 and 15 be entirely iuelosed asby the casing 55 and direct access thereto thus prevented.

In Fig. 8 I have illustrated still another expedient for securing the projection 15 within the slot EZO. here shown as having a toe 17 upon its rear end in addition to the toe 17 upon its forward end, and a filling block 22 is employed, having a reduced forward end adapted to tit beneath the toe l7 and having a rearwardly extending perforated arm 62 adapted to receive the bolt 63 carried by the rim. The length of this block is such as to wedge the toe 17 into proper engagement With the The projection 15 is forward end of the slot-20. In this case, the bolt 63 vis preferably. secured in vplace by. upsetting its inner end as at (A, While the necessary angular movement of the arm 62 can be permittedieither by slotting the arm, inclining the belt, or securing the bolt loosely to the rim.

In l ig. 9 I have illustrated. another embodiment, designed especially to prevent the projections L3 and 15 from extending beyond, the inner surface oflthe rim. In this modil'ication, I: provide a web 21" across the groove 7 at a point above llllQiJOtlIOHL-tl'lel'B- of, so as to provide an elongated:recess ()5 within the limits-of the annular member. The slots 19 and 20 are cut through the bottom of the groove 7 into this recess as before, and the projections L3 and 15 are provided with toes IT as before adapted to engage beneath the web 21. In this modilication, the ends of the ring are rut away as at (56 to receive the welrZl, and the projections 15 and 15 extend downwardly not farther than the wall of the recess (15. The filling bloc; 22 illustrated in this figure is of the same nature as that illustrated in l ig. 3 and is secured to a flat spring .83, prel" ernbly secured to the rim in the manner illustrated in Fig. r, though any of the expedients illustrattal herein could, obviously, be employed. In this case I have illustrated the rim as formed with a notch 7 to permit the insertion of a tool beneath the spring. I have also disclosed in this figure another expedient 'For preventing displacement of the block 22. This expedient consists in undercutting the rearend of the slot and the corresponding side of the block as at ('38. This expedient may be used instead of that shown in Fig. 3.

In Fig. 10, I. have illustrated another expedient for securing the projection 15 in place. In this modification, the side of the rim is cut away as atTO, opposite the rear end of the slot 20, and a. cam block 71 is pivoted to the rim so as to swing into the notch so formed. and past the rear end of the block 15; This pivot preferably takes the form of a. rivet 'iz, and the adjacent Wall 73 of the notch is formed upon the arc ota circle described thereabont. 'lhe bloct: Tl is formed with an areuate projection litting in this notch and against this wall, and the end of'the block is formed upon an eccentric 74 adapted to engage. the projection 15* and push it into place. In order to prevent the displacement of the cam block from its seating position, I may form it with a shallow notch 75 in the eccentric portion thereof, so that the elasticity of the split ring may draw the projection 15 back into this notch and -irevent the movement of the block. In Fig.

14- I have illnst'ated another expedient for preventiu displacement of this block, which consists in forming its inner surface with a slight boss or projection 76 adapted to ride over the wall of the rim and snap into the slot 20. This block is not made of tempered metal, but the natural elasticity of most metals is sullicient to permit the desired action in case only a small projection be used. In both these cases I have shown the block 71 as provided with :1 lug 77 for the reception of a wrench.

In Figs. 11 and 15 I have illustrated yet another expedient for securing the projection 15 in its slot. In this case, I cut away the side of the rim, as at 80 opposite the rear end of the slot 20, and provide a block 22 of the proper dimensions to be inserted therein. This block I secure to the end of a pivoted arm 81 swinging about a rivet 82, and having upon its free end a spring latch adapted to engage with the further side of the rim projection, so as to hold the block securely in place.

In Fig. 1% I have illustrated a flange and groove of modified form, in which the inside wall of the groove is made undercut as at 8 and the corresponding wall of the flange is complementarily sloped so as to abut securely thereagainst. The outer wall 9 of the groove is made of substantially the same shape as before. Obviously, this formation can be employed in connection with any of the securing expcdients herein disclosed.

In Fig. 15 I have illustrated a modified form of flange adapted for use with tires of the straight side or Dunlop type. The inner wall of this flange is made straight as at 85 for a distance and then outwardly curved as at 86 in the usual manner. The outer edge of this flange is preferably cut away as at 87 to provide a lighter construction.

In Fig. 16 I have illustrated an interchangeable form of rim adapted for use with tires of both types. In this figure I have illustrated a rim made of a flat annular band 5", having on one side the upturned right angular flange 6 and upon the other side the symmetrical groove 7. Adjacent the flange 0 the rim is formed with slots 19 and 20, and in the bottom of the groove 7" are formed the slots 19 and 20. A reversible ring 89, having a straight wall 90 on one side and an inwardly extending lip 91 on the other side is secured adjacent the flange 6 in the manner hereinbefore described, and a reversible removable flange 92 is secured in the groove 7 in the same manner. One side of this flange is made straight as at 93, and the other side is provided with a lip 9% similar to the lip 91. Any of the securing expedients herein described can be employed.

In Figs. 17 and 18 I have illustrated yet another expedient for securing the projection 15 in place. In this modification the metal forming the rear end of the slot 20 is pressed outwardly, as at 96, so as to form a recess 97. A cap or casing is provided having a block 22 on its end adapted to be in serted into this recess and space the projection 15 from the rear end of the notch. This casing is preferably formed with a. cover 98 and depending side walls 99 adapted to house the projections 15 and 15 and prevent the access of foreign matter thereto. The forward end of this casing is shown as provided with the perforated lug 100 adapted to be seated over a staple 101 and secured in place by a cotter pin 102 or any other suitable fastening could be employed.

In Fig. 19 I have illustrated a somewhat similar expedient, wherein the rear end of the casing is pivoted to a hinge block 104 riveted to the rim in the rear of the slot 20, and provided with a filling block 22, either integral therewith or separately attached thereto, as shown. This casing also covers the projections and slots and is formed at its forward end with a lug 105, here shown as secured to the surface of the rim by means of a button 106. This button is preferably made so as to interlock with the lug 105 so as to retain its position in all incidents of use.

In Figs. 20 and 21 I have illustrated yet another expedient for securing the projection 15 in place. In this modification a hinge block 110 is secured at the rear end of the slot 20 in any convenient manner as by a rivet 111 and to this hinge block is pivoted a filling block 22 This block is preferably provided with lateral lips 112 overhanging the metal at the sides of the slot, and with forwardly extending arms 113 embracing the projection 15". These arms are then se cured to the projection by means of a cotter pin 114 or like fastener which may either pass through lateral perforations in these arms as shown, or may merely overlie the same. In' either case a very secure and efficient fastening will be produced since the projection 15 will be held by both the pin and the block, while the entrance of foreign inatter will be prevented by the overhanging ips.

In Fig. 22 I have illustrated still another application of my invention. In this embodiment a rim 5 is shown, having at one side a shallow right angular flange 6 and at the other side a groove 7 of the form illustrated in Fig. 2. Surrounding the rim adjacent the flange (S is a ring 120 and surrounding the rim adjacent the groove 7 is a similar ring 121. Both these rings are shown as of the endless type and are held in place merely by friction and by the grip of the tire thereon, although other constructions could be employed without departing from my invention. Both rings .are preferably reversible so as to accommodate either clencher or straight-wall tires. The ring 121 is held in place by a split ring 122 said Tim.

held in the groovc T-by any of-the expedients disclosed herein, the projection 15 thereof being olearly illustrated in this figure.

Animportant feature of my invention is the shape of the'groove 7. Whether or not the inner wall thereof be undercut, as in Fig. 14, the inner edge of the flange wall will be securely held therchv against being rolled up and out thereof by means of the pressure of tlie air within the tire. l urthermore, the curved formation of the outer all of this groove "translates the stress tending to :roll thc ringoutwardly into a force tending to throw the bottom edge of the other ring inwardly, and this force is firmly withstood by "the-flat \vallol' the groove which is one of the strongest parts of the rim. Furthermore, the shape of this groove is one which can very easily be made by rolling and stamping processes, thus permitting the cheap and economical manufacture of my rim.

*In case the securing expedient illustrated in Figs. 10 and l the employed, theflattened portions can he produced either by cutting away the material of the rim or by upsetting it in dies of the required shape.

It Will 'be noted that substantially all the modifications disclosed herein concern merely the different methods of introducing a filling' piece between the end of the projection 15*:andtl1e end of the slot 20. It is obvious that the methods of attaining this end are almost unlimited in number, and I have illustrated herein only such. QX'IDCfllOHtS as appear to be of peculiar utility or to possess particular points of merit. It should be understood, however, that I claim as my in vention any method of drawing together the ends of the split ring so as to force the toes. 17 beneath the Web 21 or of inserting anv filling" device in said slot, so as to secure the projections 15 and 15 in engagement with Furthermore, while I have de scribed my invention in detail and shown it as employed in connection with a pneumatic tire, I do 1101; propose to be limited to such use, as certain features of construction thereoi are of more general a milication. Furthermore. While I have illustrated. the split ring 110 as itself forming a tire engaging fia'nge, it isobvious that it might be emploved as a retaining collar for a separate tire engaging flange Without departing from the scope of my invention. Further more, I do not propose to be limitedto details of construction except asthe same mew be positively included in the claims hereto annexed or may be rendered necessarv bv the prior state oi the art. Furthermore, although I have illustratedin my drawings the proportions which I consider best suited to the successful performance of my invention, I do not propose to be limited to such proportions nor to the shape of any of the parts except as specifically limited in the following claims.

Having thus what l claim is:

l. A vehicle wheel rim comprising an annular member adapted to be secured to the iellifloi' a "wheel and having: a pair oi slots therethrougl a split rim: adapted to su'r round said member and having a. projection adapted to enter each of said slots, cachof said projections having a forwardly extending toe adapted to be engaged beneath the surface .(If said member at the end (if the slot into which it is inserted,one of said projections having a 'total length greater than that of itsslct. and the other projection having a less lenulh than its slot, and tillins; means adapted to be inserted into said latter slot in the rear of said projection.

A vehicle nl'ieel rim comprising an annular member adapted to he seem-ell about the telly ot' a Wheel and having a pair of slots therein separated by a transverse websa split ring adapted to surround said member and, having adjacent to ea'eh of its ends projection adapted to enter one of said slots, each of said projections having a forwardlv extending toe adapted to engage beneath said web, and means engaging the rear end of one o f said pmjee tions for forcing and holding its toe in eneasement with said *Web.

3. A vehicle Wheel rim comprising an annular member adapted to be secured about the tellv of a wheel and. havi'riga groove at one side thereof, said groowe having a substantia llv flat inner face and a rounded outer face. there being slots formed through the bottom of said groove and separated by a Web of metal, a split ring formed to fit in said groove and having its extending portion shaped to engage a vehicle 'trire, projections carried by the inner surface oi said ring and adapted to extend through described ntv invention,

said slots, toes formed on the lorn ard edges of said proiections and adapted to engage beneath said web. and means fl'lAIPlJGd to engage the rearward edges of said projections and force said toes into engagement with said Web and simultaneously to draw together the ends of said ring.

4. A vehicle Wheel rim comprising an annular member adapted to be secured about the folly of a wheel and having a groove at one side thereof, there being slots formed through the bottom of said groove and separated by web of metal, a split ring formed to fit in said groove and having its extendinn portion shaped to engage a vehicle tire, projections carried by the inner surface of said ring adjacent each end thereof, and adapted to extend through said slots, toes formed on the {orwn rd edges of said projections and adapted to engage beneath said web, one at least of said slots being ionger than the corresponding projection, and a filling block adapted to be interposed between the rearward edge of said projection and the rear end of said slot and hold the toe thereof beneath said web.

5. A vehicle wheel rim comprising an annular member adapted to be secured to the folly of a wheel and having a pair of slots therethrough separated by a metallic web, a split ring adapted to surround said member and having adjacent to each of its ends a projection adapted to enter one of said slots, each of said projections having a forwardly extending toe adapted to be engaged beneath said web, and means for holding said projections with their toes beneath said web.

6. A vehicle wheel rim comprising an annular member adapted to be secured about the folly of a wheel and having a pair of slots therein separated by a transverse web, a split ring adapted to surround said member and having adjacent to each of its ends a projection adapted to enter one of said slots, each of said projections having a forwardly extending toe adapted to engage beneath said web, means engaging the rear end of one of said projections for holding its toe in engagement with said web, the other projection being of less length than its slot, and means interposed between the rear end of said other projection and the end of its slot for holding the projection in the forward end thereof with its toe underlying said web.

7 A vehicle wheel rim comprising an an nular member adapted to be secured about the felly of a wheel and having a pair of slots therein separated by a transverse web, a split ring adapted to surround said memher and having adjacent to each of its ends a projection adapted to enter one of said slots, each of said projections having a forwardly extending toe adapted to engage be neath said web, one at least of said slots being longer than the total length of the corresponding projection, a rivet secured to said annular member and having an enlarged head, a fiat spring having a perforation therethrough adapted to receive the head of said rivet and having a notch communicating with said perforation adapted to receive the body thereof, and a block secured to the other end of said spring and held thereby in said longer slot in the rear of said projection so as to retain the toe thereof in engagement with said Web at the time when the body of said rivet is received in said notch.

8. A vehicle wheel rim comprising an annular member adapted to be secured about the felly of a wheel and having a pair of slots therein separated by a transverse web, a split ring adapted to surround said member and having adjacent to each of its ends a projection adapted to enter one of said slots, each of said projections having a forwardly extending toe adapted to engage beneath said web, one at least of said slots being longer than the total length of the corresponding projection, a flat spring detachably secured to said annular member at one end, and a block secured to the other end of said spring and held thereby in said slot in the rear of said projection so as to retain the toe thereof in engagement with said web, said spring being removable from said member only after the withdrawal of said block from said slot.

9. A vehicle wheel rim comprising an annular member adapted to be secured about the felly of a wheel and having a pair of slots therein separated by a transverse web, a split ring adapted to surround said member and having adjacent to each of its ends a projection adapted to enter one of said slots, each of said projections having a forwardly extending toe adapted to engage beneath said web, one at least of said slots being longer than the total length of the corresponding projection, a rivet secured to said annular member and having a flattened body and an enlarged head, a fiat spring having a perforation therethrough adapted to receive said head and a smaller perforation adapted to receive said body andanotch connecting said perforations, said rivet being secured to said annular member with the fiat sides of its body portion transverse to the direction thereof, and the width of said notch being sufficient to permit the passage of said body portion, and a block secured to the other end of said spring and held thereby in said longer slot in the rear of said projection so as to retain the toe thereof in engagement with said web.

10. A vehicle wheel rim comprising an annular member adapted to be secured about the telly of a wheel and having a pair of slots therethrough separated by a metallic web, a split ring adapted to surround said annular member and having adjacent each of its ends a projection adapted to enter one of said slots, and having the portion between each projection and the end of the ring cut away, each of said projections having a forwardly extending toe adapted to be engaged beneath said web, one of said slots having a total length greater than that of the body of the corresponding projection but less than thatof the body of the projection plus the toe and the other slot being of greater length than the projection plus its toe, and means adapted to be interposed between said second projection and the end of its slot for holding the toe thereof beneath said web.

11. A vehicle wheel rim comprising an annular member adapted to be secured about the felly of a wheel and having a fixed flange at one side and a groove at the other side thereof, said .groove having 03])2Ll1' of slot-s thcrethroughseparated by a metallic web, :a splitming adapted to surround said annular member and [it in said groove and having adjacent each of its ends a projection adaptecbto enter one of said slots and having the portion between each projection and the end of theiring cut away: each-of said projections having a forwardly extending toe adapted to'bc enga gcd bcneathi said web, one of said slots having at total lengthgrea tar thanthatof the hotly ot' the corresponding projection hilt less than that of the body of the projection plus the:toe and the other slot being of greater length than=theprojection plus its toe, and means for drawing the ends of said ring toward each other and holding said latter toe beneath said web.

12. A vehicle wheel rim comprising an annular member adapted tobe secured about the folly of a wheel and having a pair of slots therein separated by ai -transverse Web, a split ring adapted to surround said member and having adjaciuit to each of its ends a projection adapted to enter one of said slots, each of said projections having a forwardly extending toe adapted to engage beneath said web, means engaging the rear end of one of said. projections for holding its toe in engagement with said web, the other projection being of less length than its slot, a flat spring attached to said annular member and having at its free end. a filling block adapted to enter said slot in the rear of said projection and hold said toe in engagemcnt with said web.

13. A vehicle wheel rim comprising an annular member adapted to be secured about the felly of a wheel and having a pair of slots therein separated by a transverse web, a split ring adapted to surround said member and having adjacent to each of its ends a projection adapted to enter one of said slots, each of said projections having a forwardly extending toe adapted to engage bcncath said web, means engaging the rear end of one of said projections for holding its toe in engagement with said web, the other of said slots being longer than the total length of the corresponding projectioin a flat: spring secured to said annular member and having upon its free end a filling block adapted to enter said second slot in the rear of the projection, the end of said projection being undercut and the adjacent face of said block being complementarily shaped to engage the same.

l-l. A vehicle wheel rim comprising an annular member adapted to be secured about the felly of a wheel and having a pair of slots therein separated by a transverse web, a split ring adapted to surround said member and having adjacent to each of its ends a projection adapted to enter one of said slots. each-of said projections having aforwardly extending toe adaptedto engage beneath said web, means engaging the rrcar end of one of said projections tor holding its toe in engagement with said web the other of said slots being longer than the total length of the corresponding projection, a tlat spring secured to said annular member and having upon its free end a filling block. adapted to enter said second slot in the rear of the projection, there beingawrecess formed between said annular member and spring -for the reception of a iprying tool.

l5. A vehicle wheel rim comprising an annularmember adapted to be secured about the 'felly of-a W'llffil and having a pair of slots therethrough separatedljiy a transverse web :1 split ring adapted to surround said member-and having a projection adaptedto enter oaclrof said slots, means for securing one of said. projections in its slot, the other of'said projectionshaving a forwardly extending toe adapted to engage beneath said web, the corres 'ionding slot being longer than the total length of last-named n'ojection, and filling means adapted to be inserted into said latter slot in the rear of said projection.

16. A vehicle Wheel rim comprising an annular member adapted to be secured about the telly of a wheel and having a pair of slots therein separated by a transverse web, a split ring adapted to surroiuid said. member and having adjacent to each of its ends a projection adapted to enter one of said slots, means for securing one of said projections in its slot, the other of said projections having a forwardly extending toe adapted to engage beneath said web, and means engaging the rear end of said second projection for holding said toe in engagement with said Web.

17. A vehicle wheel. rim comprising an annular member adapted to be secured about the felly of a wheel and having a fixed flange at one side and a groove at the other side thereof, there being slots formed through the bottom of said groove and separated by a web of metal, a split ring formed to it in said groove and having its extending portion shaped to engage a vehicle tire, projections carried by the inner surface of said ring adjacent each end thereof, means for securing one of said projections in one of said slots, the other of said projections having a forwardly extending toe adapted to be projected through said slot and engaged beneath said web, and a filling bloelr adapted to be interposed between the rearward edge of said projection and the rear end of said slot so as to hold said toe beneath said web.

18. A vehicle Wheel rim comprising an. annular member adapted to be secured about the folly of a Wheel and having a pair of slots therein separated by a transverse Web, a split ring adapted to surround said member and having adjacent to each of its ends a projection adapted to enter one of said slots, means for securing one of said projections in said slot, the other of said projections having a forwardly extending toe adapted to engage beneath said 'Web, the other slot being longer than the total length of its projection, a Hat spring detachably secured to said annular member at one end, and a block secured to the other end of said spring and held thereby in said slot in the rear of said projection so as to retain the toe thereof in engagement with said Web.

19. A vehicle Wheel rim comprising an annular member adapted to be secured about the felly of a Wheel and having a pair of slots therein separated by a transverse Web, a split ring adapted to surround said member and having adjacent to each of its ends a projection adapted to enter one of said slots, means for securing one of said projections in its slot, the other of said projections having a forwardly extending toe adapted to engage beneath said Web, the other of said slots being longer than the total length of said projection, a flat spring secured to said annular member and having upon its free end a fillin block adapted to enter said second slot in the rear of the projection, the end of said projection being undercut and the adjacent face of said block being complementarily shaped to engage the same.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto afiix my signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

RICHARD S. BRYANT.

Witnesses:

HAROLD E. SMITH, ALBERT H. Bares.

copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. G. 

